Escape to Bermuda 9/2-9/9

[TexasCruiser84]

First time cruiser on NCL and we had an absolutely wonderful time - so much so that we're looking to book an Alaskan cruise on Joy next year. Since this site was such a big help in helping me to prepare, I thought I'd pass along a few comments/observations.

 

1. Embarkation: We got to the port around 10:15am, dropped our bags, and were assigned boarding group 23 :/ Guess others got to the port early that day! Our number was called to board just before noon. First time cruising out of NYC and the port wasn't too bad. Felt like there weren't enough chairs to go around, but they had a food/beverage vendor and clean bathrooms. Can't complain there!

 

2. Room: We were quite pleased with our room, 5158. It was a midship oceanview with more space than we needed and easy access to decks 6-8, where a majority of things can be found. Lots of closet and shelf space. The blackout curtains over the window were the best - the room was pitch black for sleeping. This led to some great post-sun midday naps. The bathroom was huge, more than enough space for 2 people to get ready comfortably. The bathroom had a shower and a tub.

 

3. Thermal Spa: We purchased these passes pre-cruise for $398 (for two). We used it every day, including embarkation day. The heated lounger hogs were out in full force the first sea day, but spa staff were great about moving belongings if people were not actually using them. After that, we didn't have any issues getting a heated lounger. The therapy pool was like a giant hot tub with high pressure jets - amazing! Only complaint about the thermal spa was that the actual hot tub felt like a lukewarm bath. I think the therapy pool was hotter.

 

4. Service: Having sailed on Carnival and Royal, I believe we encountered the best service on NCL. Incredibly friendly, happy employees. We were always greeted with a "good _______" when passing employees in the halls. Staff were great about clearing dishes and cleaning tables in the buffet. Overall, great service. WASHY WASHY!

 

5. Food/Drink: I think NCL edges out Royal on food offerings. We dined at Cagney's, Moderno and Teppenyaki. Thought all were fantastic. While some main dining room entrees were average, nothing was bad or inedible, and some were quite good and I thought the appetizers (like somed mozz ravioli with lobster cream sauce) were also quite good. We had late night "sober up" food at O'Sheehan's more times than I'd like to admit. While it is by no means amazing bar food, it was good enough to do the job it was intended to do, better than Royal's Sorrento's pizza, and no hangovers were had this cruise. Great variety in the buffet and I think the buffet was open from 6am-11:30pm. I liked the cocktail menu offerings and different themed bars, they just seemed a little more creative than other cruise lines. The Rebellious Fish is delicious!

 

6. Entertainment: If you have the opportunity to take a cruise with a Howl at the Moon featuring Matt Tobin, Steve Savage and Chris Hatfield - do it! They were great. We went to 3 of their shows on the ship - room was always packed. We also liked the game shows in the Atrium. We aren't big on shows that require us to sit in the theater for an hour or so. The game shows were great because we could watch from the balcony of O'Sheehan's overlooking the Atrium, get a drink, play some arcade games, etc - all while the show was going on within ear shot. They had family friendly shows earlier in the evening and then adult oriented ones like the Newlywed Game later in the evening.

 

7. Pool: The rumors are true - it is impossible to get a chair near the pool unless you are up at the crack of dawn or are incredibly lucky. Spice H20 was always packed. If you don't need to be near the water, there is plenty of room on the various sun decks.

 

8. Spa: I had a manicure. I thought the technician did a fantastic job and a week later my nails still look great. But, Sweet Jesus the sales pitch was a bit much. My technician was pushing several different additional services and casually recommended a $556 face cream set like the purchase was NBD and seemed a little surprised I didn't want to buy it.

 

9. Laundry: There was an embarkation day special on ironing - 50% off. The laundry bag showed up on Wednesday - fill it up for $19.95.

 

10. Arcade Games: O'Sheehan's has mini bowling ($6pp - steep but fun), darts, basketball, pool tables and ski ball. It was nice to have something to do while drinking at the bar. We initially questioned whether we should get the ultimate arcade package but in reading the fine print we noticed many games (like bowling and ski ball) are actually excluded.

 

11. STRAWS: Seems to be a favorite topic on this board. Thanks to this board, I bought a 6 pack of reusable silicone straws from Target. Came in 3 sizes, which worked out quite well depending on the size of the glass the drink came in.

 

12. Casino: The cheapest blackjack and roulette had $10 minimums. The smell sucks. So smoky. We brought along febreeze garbage bags and our "casino clothes" went in there at the end of the night.

 

13. Disembarkation: We chose the Aqua color tag, which was the earliest option someone NOT doing self-assist or priority, could choose. The estimated time of departure was 9:10am and they called our color at 8:50am. Although lines were forming, they moved quickly. We cleared customs by 9:45am following a little terrifying snafu that held us up at customs for a few minutes. Whatever you do, please do not forget to declare what you bought on the ship when the customs officer asks "do you have anything to declare?". NCL shares your stateroom purchases with customs. I also learned an important phrase from the customers officer - when he tells you you're going "down the road" it means you are free to go and what you failed to declare was under the legal limit - it does not mean you're heading to Rikers :)

 

14. Cons: Only a few cons to sailing NCL - and maybe con isn't the right word, but preference on other cruise lines. I like that Royal's drink package includes bottled water and specialty coffee (but - you do may a lot more for Royal's package). Only place I could find free coffee in the AM was at the buffet. Would be nice if they had a small coffee/water/juice station on one of the lower decks. We brought water bottles with us and refilled them at the buffet stations. And while NCL certainly tried to mask the smell of the casino, the lower decks on this ship still had a "smell" to it, just like someone took febreeze to some smoke scent. It wasn't pleasant.

[Two Wheels Only]

Glad that you enjoyed your trip. We also prefer NCL vs. RCCL overall even though the Oasis class is in a class of it's own. The smoke situation (although not bad on my Escape sailings) is better on Bliss (based on what I've read...I haven't sailed Bliss, yet). Joy will be under going a few changes so it is unknown if Joy will be closer to Escape or Bliss as far as "smell".

[TexasCruiser84]

We were on Harmony last year and while great, I think NCL edged it out overall.

 

Forgot 1 tip I picked up during embarkation. Since we booked our cruise last minute, there were no good time slots open for prebooking our specialty dining. While sitting in the terminal waiting to board, around 11am, the iConcierge app recognized my login credentials and the WiFi signal from the boat was strong enough to connect. So, I made my dinner reservations while waiting to board. Sure beats standing in line at Headliners. I saw they had just 1 person handling reservations on board.

[Two Wheels Only]

Forgot 1 tip I picked up during embarkation. Since we booked our cruise last minute, there were no good time slots open for prebooking our specialty dining. While sitting in the terminal waiting to board, around 11am, the iConcierge app recognized my login credentials and the WiFi signal from the boat was strong enough to connect. So, I made my dinner reservations while waiting to board.

Many posters (myself included) have given that tip but there are always some on the forum who don't believe that it will work. ;p

[TexasCruiser84]

It most certainly did! Maybe I should have kept that to myself before it gets so popular that NCL turns off that capability...

[Two Wheels Only]

It most certainly did! Maybe I should have kept that to myself before it gets so popular that NCL turns off that capability...

Don't worry. The ship can't tell the difference whether you are in the terminal or sitting on your balcony. If you're in range, you're good.

 

Even the cordless stateroom phone (VOIP) in the suites works if you are walking back to the ship after an excursion. You can call the butler and have him leave a snack in the suite which will be there by the time you get back to the stateroom.

[PTC DAWG]

Sounds good, no mention of The District? I wonder if Beau is still playing. Best Grey Goose Vodka tonics on the ship. :)

 

Re the Casino, maybe it was my sailing, but never really noticed the smoke smell....and I'm a non smoker....

[TexasCruiser84]

We stopped by the District. I am not a beer drinker so I tried one of their cocktails (i think it was called Red Light District) and was a little put off that the entire cocktail was pre-made and poured from a plastic bottle. I know most mixed drinks have some components pre-mixed and ready to go for speed service, but this one already had the liquor in it and everything! It had an off taste to it so I didn't care to try the others. My husband prefers Ambers, bu they only had 2 on the lengthy menu. Seemed very IPA heavy. What really turned us off from the District was Piano Manny (sorry Manny, just not our cup of tea). Great piano player, but obnoxious singing voice. It seemed as if he knew his voice wasn't that awesome, so he made these awkward, exaggerated singing sounds to compensate, like he was singing sarcastically. We thought the Howl at the Moon guys were better so we got our piano fix in there.

[cnvh]

Greetings! We were on the 9/2-9/9 Escape sailing with you, it was our first time on NCL as well!

 

Re: booking your shows and specialty dining, there are touch screens all over the ship where you can do this once you board... We saw crowds around the ones closest to the boarding entrance, but just go roaming to some other floors and you'll find plenty of unused ones. No need to go to Headliners and wait in line...

 

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[jthomaswick]

Heading out on the Escape the end of October with my wife and a few relatives. How did you keep in touch with each other while on board? NCL's iConcierge app or some other chat app that would require the purchase of a wifi package? Any comments on what the best way to keep in touch with each other while on board are appreciated.

[Maraprince]

On sea days were there any special theme buffets held in Moderno's? We enjoyed them on the Breakaway last time we sailed.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[TexasCruiser84]

Heading out on the Escape the end of October with my wife and a few relatives. How did you keep in touch with each other while on board? NCL's iConcierge app or some other chat app that would require the purchase of a wifi package? Any comments on what the best way to keep in touch with each other while on board are appreciated.

 

I was traveling with my husband so we didn't really need to communicate on board as we were together most of the time. We purchased the unlimited internet package (which you can easily share between devices btw, can only have 1 person logged in at a time though - but if someone else is logged in and you want to use it, you just log on and it kicks him/her off). However, it is my understanding that using the iConcierge app for its texting/calling features DOES NOT require purchase of an internet package. I believe there is a cost associated per device though - $7.95 or so?

[happiness is cruising]

I too was on this sailing...and LOVED...the ship!!!! We had a balcony on Deck 10 and the layout of the bathroom was the BEST ever !!! Also LOVED... the three in the Howl at the Moon!!..Le Bistro and Cagney's were perfection...only downside is not enough pools for the capacity....LOVED NCL

service...and the freebie boat to St George...too!!!!..only my third NCL....and I am a Princess. ELITE ...we live in NYC..

cost to the ship from apartment was 1.35 each way...

Princess does NOT sail out of Manhattan....any questions..

just ask...Thanks Ann

 

 

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[vacation44]

Sounds like you had a great cruise. Thank you posting your review.